‘House of the Dragon’ Star Fabien Frankel on Criston Cole’s Suicide Mission and His ‘Nihilism’: ‘He’s Losing the Will to Motivate’

Fabien Frankel, who portrays Ser Criston Cole in HBO's "House of the Dragon," has discussed the character's increasingly perilous trajectory and his apparent embrace of a nihilistic outlook. The actor's comments follow a pivotal episode where Criston Cole declares his readiness for death, seeking an honorable end amidst the escalating conflict for the Iron Throne. This sentiment suggests a profound shift in the knight's internal state, moving beyond mere personal grievances to a broader existential despair.

The narrative of "House of the Dragon" is set against the backdrop of a brutal civil war within the Targaryen dynasty, known as the Dance of the Dragons. Criston Cole, a key figure in the court and a former protector of Rhaenyra Targaryen, has experienced a dramatic fall from grace, marked by personal betrayals and a deep-seated disillusionment. His current actions and expressed mindset indicate a character who feels he has little left to lose, seeing his own demise as a potential resolution to his internal turmoil and the external chaos of the war.

Frankel's interpretation highlights a character grappling with a loss of purpose and motivation. The "suicide mission" described points to a deliberate act of self-endangerment, driven by a nihilistic worldview where life's value has diminished. This philosophical stance, coupled with the high stakes of the Targaryen succession war, positions Criston Cole at a dangerous crossroads. His willingness to face death honorably suggests a desire for control and meaning in a world that has seemingly stripped him of both.

As the war intensifies and the political landscape becomes more fractured, Criston Cole's journey reflects the broader themes of consequence and the psychological toll of power struggles. His character's arc, characterized by a descent into nihilism and a quest for a meaningful death, adds a layer of tragic complexity to the unfolding events of "House of the Dragon." The implications of his actions and his state of mind will likely have significant repercussions on the ongoing conflict for the Iron Throne.